“We are absolutely blown away by it. As a supporters club, we are deeply appreciative of the offer, we don’t even have the words to express our gratitude to Racing supporters,” Ian Buckley, secretary of Munster Rugby Supporters Club, told the Limerick leader.

“It’s different to being put up in a hotel – to invite us into their homes shows the whole human side to it and it brought home to us how much respect that people had in world rugby for Axel for a start and then for Munster fans as well.

“One of our representatives will be going over and presenting a signed shirt to our counterparts in Racing on Saturday. We believe from Racing’s side that they are trying to get as many people as they can from both sides to welcome in both teams into the stadium on Saturday. It’s in the early stages but hopefully it will work out.”

The Racing 92 Supporters Clubs have asked us to join them in creating a Guard of Honour for both teams as they arrive to the stadium. We would encourage all Munster supporters attending the game join in this show of solidarity with the Racing 92 supporters ahead of KO in this poignant tie. Supporters will be congregating on Rue Paul Bert between 14:30 and 14:45 (French time) to walk together to the stadium entrance at 15:00 to form the Guard of Honour.

A fitting tribute to Axel and Munster – whichever side comes out on top this Saturday – rugby is definitely the winner.